Voluntary Project Overview

There is still a lot of ignorance towards people with disability in India This is a very exciting and dynamic organization dedicated to giving the best education possible to some of Delhi’s disadvantaged communities and is one of the few who have mixed classes of disabled and abled children. The school has a holistic attitude towards education as community empowerment.

Alongside the usual activities of the school there is a physiotherapy department whose primary role is to help improve the children’s mobility and therefore their quality of life. The physiotherapy department also operates an out-patients clinic in the afternoons once school is finished for the local community.

The organisation started in 1988 with an integrated group of 30 children under makeshift tents with a vision to see all people with disability on same platform as the non-disabled. The organization set out its mission:

- To facilitate all round development through education, medical care, vocational training & employment.
- To provide economic independence.
- To unlock technology for better living conditions

Its physiotherapy department aims to develop and deliver a physical therapy plan for each of their disabled students. Out of school hours the unit provides treatments to individuals in the local community who are unable to obtain treatment elsewhere.

The Volunteer Abroad Role

There are many things for the volunteers to get involved in at this school and the role really depends on where your skills and interests lie. Those interested in teaching can assist out in the classroom, working alongside the existing teaching staff to enhance the quality of education and improve materials. The volunteer in Inia at this project to help out in the computer lab, imparting computer skills and knowledge to children and older members of the community. Arts & crafts, dance, music and drama are also used for teaching and therapeutic purposes.

Other Volunteer Abroad opportunities

Apart from voluntary teaching at the school, career break volunteers abroad can be involved in the physiotherapy programme. Those on a career break can work alongside the other physiotherapists at the school and treat the children as required under the guidance of the Head of Department. There is also a Child Guidance Centre containing several social workers that help with the children’s needs outside of education; counselling, psychological assessment, individual and group therapy, case conferences, regular sessions with parents of children and a home training programme.

Voluntary Programme Requirements/Eligibility Criteria

Career break volunteers can get involved in activities depending upon their skills and experience. Working with children always requires volunteers to bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.

Volunteer Accommodation and Living arrangements

Wherever possible, volunteers abroad are provided accommodation in an Indian home and have a room to themselves. If you would like more independent accommodation please discuss the options available and cost implications while booking your career break programme. Delhi, is one of the fastest developing cities in India. With a wonderful mix of the new and old, it is an ideal destination to view some of India’s history. It has a semi-arid climate with high variation between summer and winter temperatures. Summers are long, from early April to October, with the monsoon season in between

What’s included in your Programme Fee?

• Project selection and placement - Our in-country teams work constantly to identify and select projects that are doing exemplary work in developing countries but need your skills and effort. Our staff are in dialogue with you to ensure that we choose a project that really needs you, where you will use your skills and contribute, because at MondoChallenge, we believe that a great volunteering experience is largely dependant on matching you with the right project
• Pre Departure Briefing - Before you leave, we will arrange for a pre departure briefing where we help you with small but extremely helpful details on your chosen destination. Things like: what to pack, local culture and customs, food, safety and precautions if any - simple things to make your life easier!
• Guidance for processing visa - MondoChallenge will arrange for any relevant documents and guide you through the visa process.
• Airport Pick Up - Arriving in a new city and not knowing where to go and how to go can be quite unnerving. A MondoChallenge representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your place of stay where you can put your feet up after a long flight.
• In country Orientation and Welcome Pack - When you arrive in the city, you will be given an orientation where you could meet other volunteers from MondoChallenge, know all about the city, how to find your way around, where to get SIM cards for the phone, small bits that you will need help sorting out in the first few days.
• In Country Support - Our local co-ordinators are there to guide you through out your stay. They will make sure that you are settled at your project, are comfortable with your accommodation and provide guidance on local culture and customs to ensure that you have a memorable and rewarding experience.
• Accommodation - In most cases you stay with a local host family. It gives you a taste of the daily life of a local. You will be sharing a room with another volunteer, however if you prefer to have a single room to yourself, this can be arranged but a cost supplement may apply. If you prefer totally independent accommodation, this may also be possible in certain areas at an additional cost and our Programme Managers will be able to assist you with this.
• Breakfast and Dinner - Local home cooked food, will be provided at the home stays. This gives you a chance to experience local dishes.

Not Included:

• International Flights
• Visa and Travel insurance Costs
• Vaccination
• Local Transport and Travel
• Personal Expenses

Project photos

Testimonials